October 2, 1861 – First Church first convenes in the Chestnut Hill Chapel
April 10, 1910 – Cornerstone for the new First Church laid at 26 Suffolk Road
January 1, 1911 – new First Church in Chestnut Hill dedicated
November, 1919 – first annual Thanksgiving Food and Flower Sale, which became a fixture in the community for over a century.
1929 – First Church Women’s Alliance formed, taking on an important role in the life of the church.
1961 – Centennial of the First Church’s founding as the Chestnut Hill Chapel
May 3, 1969 – Rev. Joseph A. Bassett joined the First Church as minister.
1971 – Samuel Adams joins the First Church as organist and music director. He remained a fixture at the church for the next half century.
October 5, 1986 – 125th Anniversary Celebration of the First Church in Chestnut Hill
1989 – Initial meeting of the Church Book Group, which has met continuously to this day.
June 1989 – The tracker-action organ, custom built for the church by Darren Wissinger, is installed in the new organ loft where it remains in use.
1995 – Celebration of Joe Bassett’s first 25 years as minister of the First Church in Chestnut Hill
May 3, 2007 – Rev. Rosemarie Smurzynski named Interim Minister.
June 3, 2007 – Joe Bassett retires after 38 years as minister of the First Church in Chestnut Hill
May 18, 2008 – Joseph Bassett installed as Minister Emeritus
2009 Reception honoring Sam Adams’ 35 years at FCCH, April 5
September 13, 2009 – Rev. Mark J.T. Caggiano joined the First Church as minister
December 2011 – First Taizé Service held
January 23, 2012 – Outreach Coordinating Committee established to oversee and align Church’s impact in the community
2012 – Parish Service Committee formed
2020 – Services move online due to COVID-19
September 2022 – In-person services resume